Impact of Tourism Industry: Indication from Assam

Tourism is the fastest growing industry in Assam. There are lots of tourist resources available in the state, which may attract the tourists from different parts of the country and abroad. Tourism in Assam is essentially nature based, natural parks and sanctuaries, rivers, lakes warm water springs, forests, wildlife are the principal component of tourist attraction. The major trust area of the tourism potential in Assam is the forest and wildlife. The two world's heritages sites, including Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park and many other sanctuaries and wildlife resources are the key parts of nature tourism or wildlife tourism in the state. Tourism has generated employment in different parts of the country, besides creating opportunities for tourist guides, conducted tours establishment of hotels, and so many other avenues in tertiary sectors, tourism can be a major source of employment in Assam. Information regarding the no. of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) in India during 2007 was 5.08 million as compared to 4.45 million in 2006 and 3.92 million in 2005. During the year 2007, India witnessed a growth of 14.3% over 2006 in FTAs. However, Assam does not present a happy picture. It was observed that percentage change of Indian tourist inflow to Assam was found to be highest in the year 1997 (157.48) while foreign tourist inflow to Assam was highest in the year 1996 (128.54). Despite the fact that Assam has the potentiality of developing tourism in a big way. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]